FORMER England coach Geoff Cooke is poised to join Worcester Rugby Club as their new Chief Executive.

Cooke is currently having talks with Cecil Duckworth, Chairman of WRFC Trading Ltd, regarding the new role.

It will cover the running of the club and involve work alongside Director of Rugby Les Cusworth.

Cooke lives in Leeds and has worked closely with both the Bedford and Wakefield clubs during the past two seasons.

"We anticipate being able to make an official statement about Geoff's future at Worcester next week," said Duckworth.

"I've always respected his work as he's one of the best coaches England have ever had.

Overloaded

"What he did with England was immense and he was at the centre of the Will Carling era.

"We're building a team able to compete in the first division, even though we haven't got there yet, as you have to be good enough in all areas.

"Perhaps we've overloaded Les and he hasn't been in such close contact with the players. This will allow more time with his tracksuit on."

The Cooke-Cusworth partnership is a throw-back to their time in charge of England.

Cooke's six-year tenure of the national side included reaching the World Cup Final in 1991.

His imminent arrival comes in the week that first team coach Duncan Hall quit Sixways.